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Sudan Tribune

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Lakes state Governor, citizens voice their opinions

By Manyang Mayom

May 13, 2011 (RUMBEK) – The governor of Lakes state, Chol Tong Mayay, who was elected in 2010, has came under heavy criticism from Lakes state youth both in South Sudan and the Diaspora. The governor is criticised for not tackling insecurity, the lack of infrastructure, high unemployment rates and absence of a well equipped hospital.

Lakes state governor Chol Tong Mayay (photo by Manyang Mayom)
Lakes state governor Chol Tong Mayay (photo by Manyang Mayom)
Shadarch Maper Adong, a student from the state said that “there are no social services being rendered to the people. There is no electricity in the state capital.” He also accused politicians in the state of “serving their own interests” and decried the “taxing of local communities who have no source of incomes”.

According to another student, James Molana Kok, “the rule of the ex-governor, Daniel Awet Akot and the newly elected governor Chol Tong Mayay are very different. […] Governor Chol is failing us in terms of insecurity in the state”. Kok went on to describe several crimes for which “nobody has been arrested till today”. He saw cattle rustling as a key issue, for example, in a recent incident in Cueibet, Chol “failed to visit the area”.

Kok lauded Chol’s renovation of the state house but was concerned about the level of corruption in the state.

Francis Kau, from Lakes, now studying in Kampala blames the state’s journalist who report on issues with a “lack of journalistic ethical standards” and “lack impartiality”.

Peter Thon Kuotwel said that the “ex-Governor Daniel Awet Akot was always in the field when any incident that took place. When we come to the current government, led by governor Chol Tong, I am sorry I can not describe what I know about him.”

Mayor Lueth, a student in Australia defended Governor Chol, saying compared to the rule of the ex-governors, John Lat Zacheria and Daniel Awet, he is an improvement. Lueth believes Chol has aided the development of the state.

The caretaker of ex-governor Telar Ring Deng, said Deng had done a great deal to clean up Rumbek town and established a pricing system for good which allowed citizens to buy food at a reduced price. He also established a scheme which allows farmers to sell their goods tax free.

Since his appointment Chol, has renovated the State house, guest house, the state secretarial general offices, and the police offices. He also brought 12 patrol cars to the state.

Since Rumbek was recaptured in 1997 from the Sudan Armed Forces of north Sudan by Sudan People’s Liberation Army the state has seen little development, whereas the seat of government – Central Equatoria state, is receiving a great deal of investment.

Mark Ochieng Maker, from Lakes said “I know our people very well, although you give them the good service, they will still blame you.”

Jacob Dior, another resident, blamed “the people in power” and “old people” who he blamed for glorifying the past. He felt the danger inherent in this was that it could lead the next generation into conflict, to become heroes like their forefathers.

(ST)

3 Comments

  • hero
    hero

    Lakes state Governor, citizens voice their opinions
    Now is your turn to acts.

    Reply
  • Cibaipiath Junub Sudan
    Cibaipiath Junub Sudan

    Lakes state Governor, citizens voice their opinions
    It is surpringly to see the Engineer,former Manager of Jieng Construction Company become the symbol of the Lakes State leadership to occupy the seat of the Governor through illiterate Electoral college bribed by the current incubants Lakes State SPLM officials. Where are those false promises during the campaign period? You had reached to extent of dominating the media FM 98 by paying free SDG to yourselves and charged oppositions to 600 SDG for 40 minutes press media campaign during the April election. I hope our people should not blame Chol now. Chol could have not been the right choice. Chol with with Thugs corrupted the Administration of Rumbek Secondary School in 2001 and he has continued in his recent dream to dismiss the Headmaster of Rumbek Secondary School because he claim that ” The Headmaster Mr. Maliny Marek is not cooperating”. He still dream to be given 500 bags of maize and beans from the students ratio.He also relieved the Rumbek North County Commissioner without explanation and reappointed Mr. Mayek Noi for RNC Commissioner post for the 4th times. What is so funny with Mr. Mayek Noi to be circulating his politics in Rumbek North as the Commissioner? Greedy Mayek always accept the offer. Chol Tong sacked his Political Advisor, the only elderly man in Lakes State Government and replaced him with his collegue thug both where in Rumbek Secondary coup. Development means destruction according to Engineer Chol. The entire Lakes State community where mistaken to use the wrong tool for the job. Engineers without especialisation can not be a poilitician or a leading figure. His enginering work can not be defined that is why the roads and bridges are not in his priority. His main Priority is how to maintain his big mouth and belly. Why do students complain of Lack of social Services when they forget to choose their right leaders? Still, your comparison is just meaningless. Awet was also bad. He hijacked things before taking full analysis. He was not a good Governor too. Community too are mad and that is why Politician like Chol took the opportunity to enjoy Security fund. It is bad for the community to cause insecurity for themselves and expect the Governor or commissioner to be in the field where fightings occured.

    If i am made to be the Governor or commissioner i will not even respond to send police or Military soldiers to an area where fighting took place because i did not tell you to fight yourself and then i will be happy to come to rescue you. False accusations. Students, youth and Politicians are the really problems. No one really think positively.

    That state will be no man land.

    Reply
  • JAMES KUOI STEPHEN
    JAMES KUOI STEPHEN

    Lakes state Governor, citizens voice their opinions
    People have elected those who will lead them, in the trust and true hope that they will be fitting for promotion of leadership. The authoristies are the leading perception of the country. There is no authorities with out blames, blames are the correction of power. The government should acts to provents suspiciouness from citizen of Southern Sudan. Claimers have pain for their complain, why they claim? Authoristies should make resolution. Don’t wait for others, who will come to solve with out you? Anyway, People have confused, who will meet the needs of civilan with out their hands. Be courage to manage all problem!!!.

    Reply
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